Ypsilanti Township and Augusta Township officials have banned open burning because of the dry conditions in the area.

Ypsilanti Township issued the ban this morning, after a fire in a burn barrel spread to 10 acres on a property at 5655 Ellis Road on Sunday afternoon.

Ypsilanti Township Fire Capt. Brad Johnson said a resident burned items in the barrel, then returned to the house. He said an ember carried by the wind apparently set fire to dry grass and brush near the house.

Johnson said firefighters stopped the blaze just 50 feet from the house. He said firefighters were also called to several other minor grass fires over the weekend

Fire Marshal Phil Stachlewitz said the ban will remain in effect until after the next substantial rainfall.